Whether feminine hygiene products should be available in men's restrooms has become a divisive topic in places like college campuses, as only women can menstruate. (Getty Images)
Gray said the bill, if approved, will require all city-owned and leased buildings with public restrooms to provide menstrual products, free of charge.
"This includes restrooms and all kinds of facilities, whether they are designated for men, women, family use or single occupancy," he said.
But the bill, Gray noted, is nothing new. Instead, the bill codifies what Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration and Department of General Services have already done by taking steps to ensure menstrual products are available in many public facilities across the city.
CALIFORNIA REQUIRES MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Gray also said Baltimore is not joining a national movement for menstrual equality, but instead, is leading the charge across the country.
The Baltimore city council proposed putting period products in bathrooms for men at all city-run facilities. (iStock)
In California, the "Menstrual Equality for All Act" was passed in October 2023, and it mandated that changes must be enacted at or before the start of the 2024-25 school year.
The following text was added to the state's education code when the bill was passed:
"On or before the start of the 2024–25 school year, a public school, including a school operated by a school district, county office of education, or charter school, maintaining any combination of classes from grades 3 to 12, inclusive, shall stock the school’s restrooms at all times with an adequate supply of menstrual products, available and accessible, free of cost, in all women’s restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men’s restroom."
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Menstrual products were defined in the bill as pads and tampons specifically "for use in connection with the menstrual cycle."
The bill also said it is the state legislature's intent "to promote period equity through adequate access to menstrual products in schools also serving grades 3 to 5, inclusive."
Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/blue-city-proposes-bill-place-menstrual-products-mens-bathrooms